Red Wings pass on rental players as trade deadline nears

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2013 file photo, Dallas Stars right wing Jaromir Jagr, of the Czech Republic, plays against the Nashville Predators in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn. The Boston Bruins have added a big piece to their playoff run, acquiring forward Jagr from the Stars. The Stars confirmed the move on their website. Dallas will get two prospects and a second-round pick in return.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

DETROIT -- Eight trades occurred Tuesday in the NHL, a few that involved some big names, but none of the deals involved the Detroit Red Wings.

"We made some competitive offers on a couple of players," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Tuesday night. "We will continue to explore until the deadline."

The trade deadline is 3 p.m., Wednesday.

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The Wings also weren't able to get in the mix on some players.

The biggest name that moved Tuesday, who the Wings had interest in, was forward Jaromir Jagr, who was dealt from Dallas to Boston.

The Wings tried to sign Jagr two years ago, but lost out to Philadelphia.

The Stars' asking price was too high for Jagr. The Bruins gave up two prospects and a conditional second-round pick to get him.

Jagr's contract expires at the end of the season.

"I don't know that there's a lot (left) out there," Holland said. "We'll see what happens tonight and tomorrow. I think it's been a pretty busy marketplace until now."

The one thing the Wings seem unwilling to part with in a deal for any kind of rental player is a first-round pick.

"We traded a first-rounder last year," Holland said. "We were going for it last year. You can't do that every year."

The Wings dealt a first-round pick at the trade deadline last year to Tampa Bay to re-acquire defenseman Kyle Quincey.

"We were concerned about losing (Nicklas) Lidstrom and (Brad) Stuart," Holland said. "You can't trade your first-round pick every year. You have to pick and choose when you go for it."

The Wings wound up falling to Nashville in the first round of the playoffs last season and then lost Lidstrom (retirement) and Stuart (trade) in the offseason.

Also on Tuesday, San Jose sent forward Ryan Clowe to the New York Rangers for a second and third round pick in 2013 and a conditional second rounder in 2014.

The Stars also sent forward Derek Roy to Vancouver for a prospect and a second-round pick.

Inside the cage

When defenseman Kyle Quincey returns from a broken jaw he will be wearing a cage for the rest of the season.

"It's going to take a while to get used to, but every day it gets better and better," Quincey said. "It's just an adjustment thing. It takes a long time for these bones to get strong.

"The visibility is tough, especially when the puck is in your feet and it's even harder when you've been off for two weeks," Quincey added. "You're not as sharp. The next couple of days will be key. I've got to get my timing back and just get the feel for the puck and go for there."

Quincey could return as early as Thursday, which is a lot quicker than originally thought.

"It's been two weeks and a couple days so I'm pretty fortunate there," said Quincey, who was supposed to be out four to six weeks. "Those two weeks felt like a couple of months. My personal goal is to play Thursday, that's no guarantee so we'll see what happens."

Quincey still has no feeling on the right side of his mouth and cheek.

"The nerve hasn't come back," Quincey said. "Once that does I will start having feeling in my teeth and gums and lips. It's not too bad. I just dice up the food pretty good. The blender is getting a lot of use."

Ins and outs

Forwards Henrik Zetterberg (groin) and Mikael Samuelsson (upper body) are still listed as day-to-day according to Holland.

"We're being conservative with 'Z,' " Holland said. "But at the same time we're in a playoff hunt.

"Sammy is very sore," Holland added. "He skated on his own (Tuesday) but he doesn't have full range of motion. He felt good so that's a positive step."

Holland said there's a chance Zetterberg could play Thursday.

Samuelsson, who just returned from a broken left index finger, is "on the horizon" according to Holland.

Forward Todd Bertuzzi (back) continues to progress and there's a chance he could return in a couple weeks.

"Bert is feeling very good," Holland said.

Darren Helm (back) saw another back specialist two days ago and it still looks like he's heading in the right direction.